ONLY ONE DAY IN MY LIFE 



JL IDRJLIvIJL 



IN FOUR ACTS. 



ONLY ONE DAY IN MY LIFE. 



JL JDTIJL^M^JL 



IN FOUR ACTS. 



BY 



if THOMAS EGAN, 



KNOXVILLE, TENN. 



COPYRIGHT. 1893. 






I 



<^. 






TMP96-007268 



FIRST ACT. 

At the base of Lookout Moimiam. — A suburb of Chattanooga, 
formerly the first settlement of the thriving city. 

(Hopewell and Benny, hammering away on piece of iron on 
anvil.) 

Hope. — Well, I recken that there steamboat will be here to- 
morrow and pay off. I thought I would have to get a new hat 
for that there gal of mine, but that there Mayfield boy fotched 
her a beauty. 

Ben. — Its 'er wonder to dis coon dat gal don't want ter get 
married right away. 

Hope. — Yes, most girls wants to get married time they are 
fifteen or sixteen, but you see she is only eleven. 

Ben. — Dat's no difference bos?. Some gals wants ter get mar- 
ried time dey gets big as a punkin. You seed dat gal what is 
working for dem big railroad men; I gin her a hat de odder day, 
an what you reckon — No surr2e, 'sept we gwin ter get married 
to-morrow. 

Hope — Yes, but you see colored folks ain't like white folks. 

Ben. — No, but dey are heep fonder ter get married dan some 
white gals. 

Hope. — Well, it is time to fix for dinner. Here, Ben, who 
draws the longest straw must catch fish for dinner. (Ben must go.) 

Ben. — I don't want ter go boss, dem dar tail tings will slap dis 
coon in de ribber, an dat dar Irishman green horn, will huck 
dis heah nigger till der am nofl&n left. 

(Mayfield enters. He is going to see Agnes. His dinner ready 
on the table. Mayfield leaves. Hopewell, impatiently waiting 
for Ben, picks up his gun, pulls down some game, has them 
cooked on Ben's return. Ben returns all battered up.) 

Ben. — Done told you dem dar tail tings would done slap dis 
coon down, and dat dar greenhorn done huck dis nigger. Fust 
time dat man come heah, I's gwin ter pickup dis gun. (Larry and 
one Chinaman come in with load of tools.) 

Larry. — Must have those at once; trains must be run on this 
road to-morrow. Contractors' limit runs out to-morrow at twelve. 
and by six they will be liable for twenty thousand dollars, and 
we must break dirt on the Incline Railroad at the same time. 
Come, Colonel, get those done, and send them back. I must 
finish taking my time. (He departs. Hope and Ben start on 
tools.) 



Ben. — Boss, I'se feard ter-ter — 
Agnes and young Mayfield run in. 

Agnes. — (Crying) papa, papa, let Clarance and me fix them 
while Uncle Ben is gone with that load. 

(They hammer on tools. Ben runs in out of breath. Some- 
body heard after him. His hat flys off as he enters. Ben picks 
up gun, snaps at those pursuing him. A very suspicious looking 
character is seen crossing the stage in good speed, pulling a 
Chinaman by the queu. Chinaman crying in loud voice. Chinaman 
is seen returning immediately. Ben picks up gun again, snaps at 
Chinaman, who is making a break for liberty towards camp. 
Agnes runs out after Ben.) 

Agnes. — (Returning in haste, crying.) Papa, papa, I never 
saw that man before; he is an awful looking thing; give me 
your pistol. 

Hope. — No my daughter, you can't have this pistol. 

Agnes. — Papa, mama is all alone. I must take her your 
pistol. You know she always said robbers followed up railroad 
contracts, and to-morrow is pay day. (She continues.) Then, 
papa, you will get me a new pair of shoes. All right papa, I 
will give this to mamma. Come Clarence. (They skip out.) 

Ben. — Boss, if you gin dat gal new shoes to-morrow, she will 
be married fore night. 

(Pistol is heard firing in the woods. Hopewell runs out, think- 
ing his daughter is having an encounter with some villains. Ben 
returns before going out of sight. I^arry comes after last lot of 
tools. One Chinaman with him.) 

Ben. — (Makes a dash out of their way, saying;) dat dar green 
horn what come to huck this nigger. 

(Larry discharges small pistol, Ben falls on floor trembling, 
calling,) lyo'dy, lyo'dy. 

IvARRY. — (Pointing to Chinaman.) Bring him here. (Chinaman 
ties end of his queu to nigger's foot or neck, drawing him over to 
Larry.) 

Ben. — (Crying) Lo'dy, Lo'dy, don't huck dis sinner. 

lyARRY. — Why didn't you bring them tools back? 

Ben. — You sees, boss, you sees — 

Larry. — You see the tools are here, and we must finish this 
contract by three to-morrow, and commence on the Incline road 
before sundown. 

(Hopewell, Mayfield and Agnes enter.) 

Agnes. — Yes, papa, but I didn't know how to shoot it until I 
tried, and Clarence shot a coon, papa. 



Ben. — Didn't know dey was any niggers roand dis place sept 
dis coon. 

(Hope introduces Agnes and Mayfield to L,arry, who bows and 
scrapes, saying ) I will come to see you when we finish. (Steam- 
boat whistle is heard up the river. Every body startled and 
look in direction of whistle.) 

Agnes. — (Jumps upon anvil.) Yes papa, it is a boat, come 
here Clarence. (They hold each o<^her on anvil.) 

Mayfield. — Yes, it is the Whiteside. 

Larry. — That's the pay boat. (Calling Chinaman.) Let us g^ 
and come back and see what that means. 

Hope. — Look here Ben, how them young folks love each 
other. Supposin' some rich, goodlooking man came along, and 
wanted to marry that gal, he'd have a tough time of it. 

Ben. — Dat am de reason dis heah nigger is 'posed to gettin her 
new shoes. Every time dose gals gets big as punkin, de want 
ter get married to some body. 

(Boat blows for landing. Hope, Ben, Agnes and Mayfield all 
go towards the landing. Agnes and Mayfield hand in hand, say- 
mg.) We are going, too, papa. 

Ben. — Dat am de war folks shore. (He is seen falling back, 
looking in every direction. Larry, with two Chinese, comes in 
and goes to landing. Boat ties up. Onboard are, Elmo, general 
manager, one pilot, one engineer and an officer. Hope and Ben 
are congratulating themselves on getting their pay a day before 
hand, thinking they will pay off that eve. Mayfield and Agnes 
are hand in hand.) 

Agnes. — (Pulling loose from him, skipping, saying:) Papa, 
papa, you must get me new shoes and new dress to-morrow. 
Won't he Clarence? Yes, papa, j^ou will. 

Elmo. — (Calling to Larry.) This boat has orders to report at 
Nashville for river duty at once. The reports of war are very 
strong. We won't pay off until to-morrow after we finish, that 
will be about two, then you will take a squad and break dirt on 
the Incline road. We will forfeit our contract unless we do. 
Throw out that gang plank, get your men Larry and take this 
money off. 

Larry. — Come boy, get off that tin. (Chinaman starts.) 

Ben. — Does you mean me boss? all right I's gwine. (Ben 
starts, steering clear of Chinaman.) 

Larry, — Here, wooly; hands off". (He keeps on.) 

(Officer, steps up and jerks him by the collar. He falls into 
water.) 



IvARRY. — Put them down. (Ben has recovered from water and 
proceeds to pick up one sack.) 

Offickr. — (Catches him.) I will put you in jail if you make 
another move. 

Ben. — I thought dat was boss' sack. 

Agnes. — (Pulling Ben aside, and telling him they will get 
their money to-morrow, and she will get new dress and new 
shoes.) 

Ben. — Dat dar gal is bound to get married. (Meditating.) 
Well, I reckon she wouldn't be no gal if she didn't. 

Elmo. — (Engages in conversation with Hopewell, saying:) 
Yes, we came a day before hand. We will throw our tents for 
the night? This officer will be on guard; there will be no 
danger, no how. 

Agnes. — Papa, that was an awful looking man that was run- 
ning after Ben to-day. I tell you he means something by being 
about here. I am glad mamma has your pistol papa. 

Elmo. — Is that your daughter? 

Hope. — Yes. This is Mr. Elmo, Agnes; this is her sweet- 
heart, Mr. Mayfield. 

Elmo. — You are not afraid little lady, are you? 

Agnes. — No, but I don't want to be where all that money is 
to-night. Papa lives in yonder house, (pointing.) 

Elmo. — And this is your — 

Agnes. — The store-man's .son. 

Elmo. — And your — and your — (Agnes bows her head, re- 
peating.) 

Agnes. — Yes, sir, and you must come up to our house to- 
morrow. 

Hope. — Come, Agnes, let us go, it is getting dark. Those 
people want to fix their beds. (They leave.) 

Mayfield. — ^(Leaves for his home, saying:) I will be back 
to-morrow, and bring those new shoes. What number do you 
wear? 

Agnes. — Uncle Ben will tell you. 

Mayfield. — What number are they Ben? 

Ben. — I cla' Master Mayfield, I puts dat gal's shoes on ebery 
mornin', dey are number nine. (Aside.) If de don't fit her, dey 
will fit dis nigger, without socks or anything. (All leave hastily.) 

(Steamboat pulls out, all are waving at it. They proceed to 
throwing up tents, fixing beds and pillows. Officer requests 
that all join in singing a psalm, to invoke protection for the 
night, which is sung with chorus. All are snoring.) 

Officer. — -(Fires shot.) All jump up in their night clothes, 
crying: What is it? what is it? 



Officer. I beg your pardon, only a deer passing yonder. I 
thought it was some villain, and I fired at him. 

Elmo. — All right, officer, we know that you will do your 
duty, but don't disturb us, unless somebody comes right in on 
you. 

Officer — Rest easy, rest easy, I won't be the one to disturb 
you again. 

(All are snoring again. The shot is a signal fi^r his confeder- 
ate to come forth from his cave, and he is seen coming through 
the woods. Officer lays his head on his gun and is presumably 
asleep. Villain enters, a dog-faced looking fellow, looking in all 
directions. A little noise is heard to one side. Villain starts to 
run.) 

Officer. — Hold on, hold on, pard, I am only snoring. 

(Villain picks up two sacks of money.) Say, pard, are j^ou 
snoring yet? 

Officer. — Take your load and come back again for another 
If I am not snoring wake me up, we will make a good 
finish of it. They can have their d — -d gun and uniform to pay 
off with. (A noise is heard in Larry's tent. Villain drops one 
of the sacks, making a good noise.) 

Larry. — -We are robbed, w^e are robbed. 

Officer. — (Fires in direction of villain. All jump out in 
night clothes, calling repeatedly:) Where is my pistol? 

Larry. — (Counts sacks. One is missing. He counts again 
on his fingers.) One missing, Mr. Elmore, one missing. (ilU 
start after him. The reports of shots and crys of — "Where is 
he? shoot him, shoot him," wake up the Hopewell household. 
They running to door and seeing villain passing with small sack 
under his arm. Agnes picks up pistol she had left with her 
mother that day, aims at villain, sack drops on ground and he 
speeds off, limping.) 

Officer. — (Drops his gun, draws his pistol, saying:) Now is 
my only chance. (Turns in opposite direction, and in a short 
time both are seen entering a cave on the side of the mountain. 
Larry in pursuit reaches the Hopewell house, and brings back 
sack.) 

Ben. — (Trying to hide under every thing in his apartment, 
saying:) Dat am dem war folkses shore. (He jumps forth for his 
new shoes.) 

(It is now getting dayliglit. Elmo and party are leaving for 
railroad camp to pay off. He leaves a note on anvil addressed to 
Agnes.) 

Hope. — (Opens it, reads aloud.) Miss Hopewell, you are a 



little Queen. Be read}'^ to answer my questions when I return 
this eve. 

(Hopewell and Ben point tools with dispatch.) 

Ben. — Boss, dat dar sun am in de same line it was dis time 
yesterday. (Measuring) with rule, it am six inches past eleben. 

Hope. — Ben, get the gun, pull down some game for dinner. 
Make as good a shot as that there gal of mine did last night. 

Ben. — (Leaving, saying:) Yes, Boss, she done fotched her 
game sho'. 

(Two shots are heard in the woods.) 

Ben. — (Returns.) Here dey am boss, fotched one ebery shot. 
I's gwin ter cook em. Boss, after de war, when niggers is free, 
we must get dat banana gal to cook fur us. Dat's de one what 
I gin de hat to, den I spect dis nigger will marry her. I spect 
dat nigger, what am workin' in dat big hotel boardin' house, 
lobes dat banana gal. I seed him de odder night with hole lot ob 
puddin'. He didn't make dat puddin' his-self. 

Agnes. — (Comes bounding in.) Where is he papa? where is 
he? 

Hope. — That was Ben shooting some game for dinner. 

Agnes. — I thought it was some more bad men. 

Hope. — No, my daughter, run on home, eat dinner; that there 
rich young man wants to see you in an hour. 

(Mayfield runs in with pair of shoes for Agnes.) 

Hope. — Hello, my boy, got some shoes for Agnes. Go on 
home with her and have some dinner. (They skip off, hand in 
hand.) 

Ben. — (Enters.) Dinner am ready boss. 

Hope. — Bring it in here, spread the table cloth on this here 
table. 

(Ben spreads presumable cloth on stump, and one for himself 
on anvil. They are devouring dinner. Ben is struggling with 
bone and picks up sledge, saying — ) 

Ben. — Boss, dis am too hard for dis coon's tooth. Hold on 
here. (He hits one lick, piece of bone hits Hope, and knocks 
him down, he recovers, starts for Ben, who dashes awa3^ A 
boy rushes in handing note to Hopewell, who reads aloud.) 

Hope. — Owner of blacksmith shop: We are about to have a 
serious conflict. You are hereby commissioned to remain at 
your shop for service to your country. Keep wagons and fire 
arms in good order, else you may have to go to the front. First 
batch of wagons and arms will reach you this evening. One 
cannon has a load of powder in it, draw gently; no harm whatever. 



Ben. — Boss, tis most dat time now, de sun is on dat same line 
it was dis time yesterday. (Measuring) its dat same six inches, 
boss. Dat war business is surely on; we will stay. 

(Agnes and May field skip in.) 

Ben. — Where am dem shoes.-' 

Agnes. — They were No. nines, crying. 

Ben. — (Aside.) Its er hot day in July, when dis coon goes 
'dout shoes. (He puts them on, the}' go, queek wake, queek 
wake.) Dem shoes like a 'larm clock, dey wake fellow up in the 
mornin'. 

(Elmo enters in a hurry.) 

lyARRY.— Yes, I sent two foremen and two squads to break 
dirt on the Incline. I expect this here war talk will stop every 
thing. 

Elmo. — Yes, but we will comply with our contract. That 
train with the committee will be along. I will try and stop it. 
We will all go in on it. I must speak to this girl, (advancing to 
her.) How are you my little queen, and you young storeman? 

Agnes. — I was afraid it was you I shot at last night. 

Elmo. — No, you did a better deed than shoot at me. 

Agnes. — I thought he was fighting with you and I wanted to 
kill him. 

Mayfield. — (Pulling Agnes away, showing jealousy, saying.) 
Come, let us get another pair of shoes. 

Ben — Yes, get No. tens dis time. 

Elmo. — All right, little lady, go with him; I want to see your 
father. (Agnes and Mayfield skip out.) 

Elmo. — How are you to-day Mr. Hopewell? 

Hope.— (Shaking hands with him, saying:) All right. I am 
glad you finished your contract. 

Elmo. — Yes, a train will pass, I will try and stop it, and all go 
in on it. Is your daughter educated? If not, will you hear a 
proposition for her education from me. 

Hope. — I believe that there gal loves you already. 

Elmo. — Then if you will let me lay first claim to her hand, I 
will see that you educate her to be accomplished in all branches. 

Hope. — I am 'feard that there Mayfield boy won't let her go. 

Elmo. — I will give him a commission to England to boom this 
section and advertise this railroad, which is built by English 
money. We will fix up a real estate office in Chattanooga, have 
a bank in connection, we will get rich. This war will be a set 
back to us us at present. Agnes will behome, the belle of White- 
side Place, when the war is over. 

Hope — (Looking.) Here are those war wagons and cannons. 



I must examine them, and draw the powder, send them to 
McCarty's shop. That Major won't know but' it was me did 
it. (Some of the tires are loose. Ben is fastening them on. 
Hopewell looking at the others. Mayfield and Agnes enter.) 

Agnes. — (Shouting.) Papa I have them. (Holding a pair of 
shoes in her hand with red strings.) 

Hope. — (Telling driver how to go to the other shop, which is 
two miles away. Pointing to Ben, saying:) He will show you. 
(Train whistles.) 

Elmo — Colonel, get that powder out, here comes the train. 
(Hopewell makes a jerk and powder makes a loud explosioa. 

Elmo catches a tree near b3^ Ben is pitched sprawling on the 
ground. Agnes and Mayfield are on their knees praying, hand 
in hand, their other hands pointed towards Heaven. Hopewell 
under the wagon. Driver is drawn some distance by the mules. 
Earry thrown to the ground, recovers himself, rushes to mouth 
of cannon, backs himself stiffly against it to prevent a second 
discharge.) Curtain Drops. End of Fint Act. 

ENCORE. 

(Hopewell has sledge hammer viciously hammering on cannon. 
Ben on his knees, praying and trembling, calling: "Eo'dy," "Eo'dy." 
Elmore, holding Agnes by hand. Agnes holding Mayfield. Driver 
struggling with mules. Larry, holding his own, at mouth of 
cannon. Train speeds by, Elmore calling, "stop," "stop." The 
cannon explodes again, all fall to the ground, and throws Larry 
sprawling, ten feet in front.) 

A lapse of nine years between first and second acts. 

SECOND ACT. 

Hopewell's House. — Hopewell in private office opposite parlor. 
Elmo enters. 

Hope. — Good mornin' Gregory, have a seat my boy. (Elmo 
sits down.) Looking back to when I first met you, it gives me 
greater pleasure now. Then my anxiety was to get rich. Then, 
that railroad stock you gave me for that right of way, proved a 
great fortune to me. Our claims against the Government for 
burning those bridges and other damages, were lucky in being 
promptly paid. Gregory, I owe all my happiness to you. 

Elmo. — No, Colonel, you owe it to your daughter, Agnes. 

Hope. — Yes, and by the way, I want to see both of you mar- 
ried and happy. 

Elmo. — Yes, Colonel, but Agnes' love for me look^ very 
doubtful, she seems to be devoted to the name of Mayfield. 

Hope. — Gregory, we will get the right kind of a halter on her 
now, as soon as she takes ofi^ that mourning. 



EivMO. — Well, well. 

Hope. — It won't be long; she will have them off before those 
English Lords and wealthy capitalists get here. They hold that 
big meeting in Binnmghatn, England, Tuesday. 

Elmo. — That plan of mine worked well, and Mayfield seems 
to be doing good work over there. 

Hope. — Yes. Here is an article in the Birmingham paper, 
which shows he has been doing remarkably well. 

Agnes. — (Enters, looking very pale, saying.) Good morning, 
Mr. Elmo. 

Elmo. — (Turning round suddenly.) Good morning, good 
morning, Agnes. 

Hope. — My daughter, you are looking very pale this morning; 
go to your room. 

Agnes. — Yes, papa, but have you any mail to-da5? 

Hope. — No, Agnes, my child. If I had I would have sent it 
to your mother. (Agnes stooping for paper.) 

Hope. — (Jerking the paper.) You are not in condition to 
read this morning. I have a lew words with Elmo, then you and 
he can go to the parlor. 

Agnes. — Yes you can deny me the right to see his name in 
your papers, and you propose to have a monument erected to the 
memory of a man you are not sure of being dead, but I will find 
out, and before ever I will marry any man to make him happy 
and myself miserable. 

Margaret. — (Enters.) What's the matter Agnes? what's the 
matter? you are looking dreadfuly pale this morning. Some bad 
news? 

Agnes. — No: he surely has not landed yet or he would have 
telegraphed me. 

Margaret. — Yes, but he might be waiting to surprise you. 

Agnes. — No, no. He never surprised me but once. You re- 
member when they were planning to send him off, I wanted to 
share the same fate with him, and I wanted him to elope with 
me. 

Hope. — (Is heard conversing with Elmo.) Yes, Gregory, that 
meeting is on Tuesday. They will leave immediately after the 
meeting. 

Elmo. — I will get Agnes to play and sing one piece, then I 
will be going. (Stepping up to her.) Agnes, play me your 
favorite, then I will be telling you good night. 

(Agnes plays and sings. Margaret, Ben, and Mrs. Hopewell 
join, Mrs. Hopewell is in her room and cannot be seen.) 

Hope. — (Listening intently, calls Ben in low voice, telling him 
to go to telegraph office and send that message.) 



Ben. — (Leaves, returning immediately, hat in hand, saying.) 
Dat ar man, what was a boy when we war makin dat dar rail- 
road, is down at de depot railroad, done heard him askin fur dat 
hotel. Yes dat same bo}^ what gin Miss Agnes shoes an hat 
when she war a gal. Yes, boss, j-ou knows fore dese coons war 
freed. Course and de sun kum on dat line same time ebery 
day, time. Dat robber done got sack monej^ and Miss Agnes 
done fotch him dat night with dat pistol. 

Hope — Hush, hush, let Agnes not hear you. (They leave.) 

Elmo. — (Tells Agnes goodnight ) 

Ben. — (Rings bell, calling out:) Supper time, supper time. 

Agnes. — What do you mean, it is only ten o'clock at night. 

Ben. — Excuse me Misses, tought you wants to do like all those 
gals, ate some pie time der fellers leabes. My gal eats fore I 
leabes, yes mum, but I brings her de pie. 

Agnes. — Go, see that every thing is fastened all right for 
the night. 

Ben. — Yes, mum, but two awful ugly men is ober at Master 
Elmo's office, under de lamp. (They leave.) 

(A scene is drawn apart, and the panorama of Birmingham, 
Chattanooga and Knoxville are seen, in large real estate offices 
in Birmingham, England, with a surging mass ot people with 
pointed canes, discussing which city to go to. 

Lord Kingston. — Mayfield has gone to Chattanooga, here is 
a message from Lord Harr}-, he is in Birmingham, Ala. (All 
cry:) We will go there first. (They are seen fixing to leave.) 

Dennis. — (The trusted Irishman and gardner enters hastily, 
saying:) An fots the mather with yeze, fots the mather with 
yeze, are yeze goin crazy about the w^ay they are makin money 
in that new cunthrj-? 

Lord K. — Yes, Dennis, here is a message from Lord Harry, 
he is in Birmingham, Ala. He says they make money b}^ the 
sackful! iu a day. He bought some options there. He will 
leave there to-day for Chattanooga. Mayfield, who left him, 
went direct to Chattanooga. The poor fellow anticipates trouble 
there. 

Dennis. — Faith, I am not surprised; he was in trouble all the 
time he was here. 

Lord K. — I thought he was unbalanced some way. 

Dennis. — Faith, he was, and a girl was the cause of it. I 
bether put yeze up some aitables yea will have when yeze get 
there. 

Lord K. — No, Dennis, we will stop at the fine hotels along 
the railroads and along the rivers. (Thej- are now seen fixing 
to leave.) 

Dennis — (Asside.) Hotels, and the devil howtel at all there. 

ID 



Sure owld Columbus, over there in Spain, was the first won that 
born that Cunthry, an the rivers, the devil rivers at all there. But 
I'll tell yea how to cross there for fear it might rain before yea get 
here, and yeal have to walk all the way. the devil road at all there. 
Me brother towld me before he left if he was there a leetle 
sooner, he would born that cunthry himself, then he would own 
it, like a mother does her child. He would dress it night and 
morning, he would have a great deal more of his counthrymen 
there, instead of that, there is none of them there, an thats the 
raisen the dam'd counthry is so badly guverened. 

Lord K. — Dennis, you will take good care of this place until 
we come. 

Dennis. — Yes, an I'll have the place in me own hands when 
yea come back. I'll rob yea out of it, for I know how yea got 
it; yea robbed me great-gran-father, an his great-gran-father, an 
his great gran-father, an his great-gran- father, an his great-gran- 
father, an his great-gran-father out of it. 

Lord K. — Well, goodby Dennis. (Takes their luggage and 
leaves.) 

Dennis. — The devil take yea ship an all on it to the bottom 
of the say is all that I have for ye. (Catching his thought.) Let 
me see, I'll send a letther in that same ship to me brother over 
there, yes and I'Jl go meself an see the other one. (Pulling a 
letter from his pocket), an when this letther sees me brother, it 
will be the proudest letther in America. I believe it will go on 
a big spree. It will be the proudest letther in the wourld but 
one. (A voice from gallery crys. What one is that,) looking 
around for an answer, saying: That litter of shotes me owld 
pig had the other day. Well, I must send this letter in that 
same ship, and fix and go meself, a nd see that them devils, ship 
an all, go to the bottom of the say, leaving. 

(Scenes are pushed together, and Hopewell's house is again 
shown.) Elmo and Hone. 

Elmo. — Colonel, I don't know how he got the knowledge of 
Agnes and my engagement. (Aside.) I thought she was inde- 
pendent lately, and I must have my other plan put into practice. 
I will have those villains come here to-night. I will give them 
the exact time to take her. 

Hope. — Gregory I cannot imagine, unless it was Larry, who is 
now at the telegraph office holding down the foreign key. I will 
go and send this message to Birmingham and find out; you 
remain until I come. 

(Elmo rings for Ben. Ben enters, hat in hand, stiff colUr up 
to his ears, bowing and scraping; his swallow tail coat splits 



across his back full width laying open, a fagged white and red 
shirt and his black back observable in places.) 

Elmo. — Ben, you see those two men under that lamp post at 
m}^ office. Show them here. They want to buy some property. 

Ben. — Yes 'er. Dem dar two what looks like millinery? 

Elmo. — Yes, yes. (Ben leaves, showing his ragged back and 
split coat, one side to the other.) 

Elmo. — I will have that infernal Mayfield arrested, if nothing 
else will work. 

(Villain No. i and No. 2, both enter: One limping, the other's 
face powder burned, which occurred when shooting at his con- 
federate, while stealing sack of money from railroad contractors.) 

Elmo. — (Pointing to limping one.) I saved your life once, 
now I want you to save mine. 

Villains. — (Both.) We will, we will. Anv monev in it 
Capt.? 

Elmo. — Yes, when the work is done. Here is a trifle now. 
(Handing one of them hand full of coin.) 

Villains. — Tell us, tell us. 

Elmo. — (Pulling a key from his pocket.) This key will admit 
you to every room. This young lady will be sleeping. Then 
when all will be sound asleep, you must spirit her away. (Hand- 
ing them the key.) 

Villains. — That's our business, that's our business; success 
is in your favor when two honest men like us, is in your favor. 
We will have her, and your carriage will be — 

Elmo. — Yes, out side. I will join you at St. Elmo. I will 
have a minister, we will cross the Tennessee line into Georgia, 
there to be married. Be sure you do not fail. (Eeaving 
hurriedl3^) 

Villains. — (Fixing to leave, examining rooms. Foot steps 
are heard approaching. Villains make a dash for concealment. 
A clothes basket on one side, half full of ladies' wear. A lid on 
basket. A tub of water on the other side. Agnes, heard talk- 
ing to Margaret approaching front. Villain No. i, jumps into 
clothes basket, pulling lid over him, the other dashes into Mrs. 
Hopewell's room. Agnes and Margaret entering slowly. 

Agnes. — Yes, Larry is a good, tried and trusted friend of mine. 
When Clarence and myself get married, he will be one of the 
first invited. Did you hear that he and Norah, the housekeeper 
at the Hotel Royal, on Eookout Mountain, are soon to be 
married? 

It is near time Clarence was here. Did he tell you of his 
adventures crossing the ocean and in England. By the way, 
that Eord will be here to-morrow, and we will get both of them 

12 



to tell us some fine English stories. I like those English fellow > 
since Clarence had such a time with them. (Villain is seen bob- 
ing up and down, for an opportunity to escape.) 

Ma-RG. — We will get lots of lemonade from Earry when we go 
to board at the hotel for the summer. I guess he will be 
manager. 

Ben. — Yes, an we will get them spiked, too. 

(Agnes and Margaret advance to front. Villain in Mrs. Hope- 
well's room facing out. Mrs. Hopewell's dress on to disguise 
himself, backing back cautiously, topling backwards into tub of 
water; recovering himself, dashing out, water splattering in all 
directions. Noise attracts Agnes and Margaret's attention.) 

Ben. — (Starts suddenly and falls sprawling, saying:) Dat am 
dat, Lordy. 

Agnes. — What's the matter Ben? go see what is the matter 
with that water. Take it into mother's room. Ben moves cau- 
tiously and trembling.) 

Agnes. — Go on and move it. 

Ben. — Yes mum. I tought it was some gal, some gal wa.shing. 
(Eaughing, he removes tub.) 

Agnes. — Take this basket up to my room. Clarence will be 
here presently, and he must not see all of this. (They face front.) 

Ben. — (Raising basket straight up, facing front. Villain No. 
2 is seen for a second sitting on pile of dirty wear, making one 
dash, scattering clothes in all directions. Agnes and Margaret 
.scream. Agnes falling to floor, Margaret on sofa, Ben under 
sofa with hands protruding out. Mayfield enters from one side, 
crying: "Agnes, Agnes, what have they done to you." (Put- 
ting hand under her head, fanning her with other. Hopewell 
from another side enters hastily, and tries to restore Margaret. 

Ben. — (From under sofa calling loud.) De Eo'd man war here, 
de Eo'd man war here. (Coming out.) 

Hope. — Mr. Mayfield, I will have you arrested for this. Try- 
ing to abduct my daughter. 

Agnes. — (Recovering ) No papa, no papa, no; some robbers 
were here in the house. 

Ben. — No suree, two Eordy man war here, but dey didn't git 
nothih. dis heah coon made dem skip. Dese gals want ready ter 
go 3'et. Miss Agnes stayed up so long la<^t night, talking to dat 
Mayfield bout de war, laughing both on dem, dey went ter sleep 
sitten up in de sofy. If dis coon sot up half so long somebody 
be rested next day sure. 

Hope. —Arrested for what? 

Ben. — Kase, kase, look hea boss, its too long to keep gals eyes 
open, dat long. 

13 



Hope. — That is the charge I will make against you Mr. 
Mayfield. 

Agnes. — No papa, no. You don't want to drive us distracted. 
Don't drive us to a suicide's grave. 

(Elmo enters, papers in hand, and two officers. Agnes and 
Margaret both scream and faint. Mayfield and Mrs. Hopewell 
run to Agnes.) 

Mrs. Hopewell. — I always told you to let those young folks 
have their own wpy. He will drive them to a suicide's grave. 
(Hopewell fanning Margaret.) 

Elmo. — (Ordering officer to remove Mayfield.) 

Hope. — (Calling Ben, who is coming from under the sofa, 
crying.) "Two mor lyo'dys, we is all going dis time." 

Hope. — Ben go get a doctor. 

Ben. — Dats so. Is I goin to bring some medicine to boss? 
(He returns immediatel}^ with gallon jar of castor oil, saying: 
Dr. want in, an I jus fotch one dose ob dis heah oil business. 

Hope. — -(Grabs jar, runs after Ben.) 

Ben. — I isn't sick boss I don't want no medicine. 

Hope. — Take this back and bring a box of pills. 

Ben. — (returns immediately.) No pills in town boss. 

Hope. — What's the matter with the pills? 

Ben. — De Board Public Works was sick dis mornin, an done 
ate dem all up. 

Hope. — Board Public Works on another drunk? 

Ben. — No sur, no sur, just had a jag on. 

Hope. — What is a jag but a good old whiskey drunk? 

Ben. — No suree, kase I done heard dem callin for de drinks. 
De man behin de counter would say, what will you have gentle- 
men? All of em said, whiskey and shelter, den in a little while 
heed say, what will you have. All would say whiskey and 
shelter. Boss, what am dat shelter business? All on em said, 
we would soon habe a jag on. One on em said don't gin me any 
more shelter, it makes me feel toxicated. So he didn't hab on 
jag at all. 

Hope. — Which of them didn't want any more seltzer? 

Ben. — Don't know Boss, but tink it was Mr. — 

(Officer keeping crowd back. Mayfield struggling to get to 
fan Agnes. Mrs. Hopewell fanning Agnes. Margaret recovers.) 

Ben. — I is doctor boss, get dis doctor pitcher dew water, and 
bottle brandy. (Elmo brings them in hurriedly.) 

Ben. — Clea dis way ebery body out ter here. (All leave for 
adjoining rooms. Ben turns brandy to dis head, drinking half 
of it. Rubbing Agnes' temples, she recovers and calls aloud. 

14 



"Papa don't, papa don't." (Margaret and Ben convey her to 
Margaret's room. Mrs. Hopewell leading the way. 

Agnes. — (Crying.) "Don't papa, don't, don't." May field 
starts with them, officer orders him back. 

Elmo. — Officer, here is your orders, (reading a cablegram ) 
Birmingham, England. Arrest one Clarence Mayfield, a repre- 
senative of Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee, and Birming- 
ham, Alabama parties, on charges against the Crown of England. 
Will send officers with papers. 

Elmo. — Take him to prison, officers. 

Hope — Yes, and for charges of trying to abduct my daughter. 

Officer No. 2. — Young man, we will take charge of you. 

Mayfield. — It is a lie. You are a scoundrel, Elmo. 

Elmo. — Take him officer, or he will whip me, take him. 
(After a hard struggle they overcome Mayfield, and are leading 
him in the direction of prison.) 

Agnes. — (Bounding in front of them, beseeching them and 
telling them it is false.) 

Ben. — Eo'ddys, Eo'ddy, don't kill young Misses! 

(Hope and Elmo congratulating themselves on the great 
scheme to bring false charges that will work successfully against 
the mai that made them wealthy by his heroic work over in 
England, and driving Agnes distracted, who saved Elmo from 
the accusation of embezzlement, b)^ shooting the villain who was 
escaping with sack of money. Agnes is at the feet of officers, 
on her knees, pleading for his release on bond, and give them 
time to be married, when they will both be a party to the charges, 
and go to prison togehter.) 

Officer No. 2. — Step aside, young lady, and let us pass; 
(Pulling his pistol, leveling it at Ben,) and you wooly. 

Ben, — (Starting suddenly, he falls, saying.) De Eo'ddy done 
got all of us dis time. Caught dis nigger nappin, sho. 

Mrs. Hopewell. — (Pleading them not to take him to jail, 
that she will put up her diamonds as security. (Pulling them off.) 

Officer No. i. — In an Irish brogue. You will have to do 
this dirty work yourself, (Throwing his club to the ground, 
pulling off his belt. Mrs. Hopewell embracing him.) 

Ben. — (Catching the other by the collar, shaking him vigor- 
ously, saying:) If you was green horn, you wouldn't kill young 
Misses. 

(Officer points his gun at Ben. Ben starts suddenly, falling 
crying, "Eo'ddy, take all de family, just let dis coon lone till he 
marry dat banana-gal. End of Act SecoJid, Curtain Falls. 



15 



ENCORE. 

Mayfield behind the bars. 

Hope and Elmo. — We have hira this time. 

Mrs. Hopewell weeping on Margaret's lap. 

Agnes. — (Recovering from a fainting spell, crying:) "Don't 
papa, don'c, don't, he i^ innocent." 

Officer No. i. — (With bottle brandy turned up.) 

Ben. — (Having him by the neck, saying:) "I is de fisician." — 
Curtain Falls. 

THIRD ACT. 

Reception room elegantly decorated. 
All parties elegantly dressed. 

McCauley, a Northern gentleman, being introduced. 
Klmo and Hopewell in earnest conversation regarding showing 
him the brick yard property that shows indication of oil. 

(McCauley and L,ord Harry conversing and sipping their wine.) 

McC. — Yes, my I^ord, this man is in jail for charges against 
the Crown of England and for trying to abduct or elope with 
Miss Hopewell. He gave this deed to Miss Hopewell (pulling 
deed from his pocket and map showing where oil is manifest.) 

She put it in my hands to sell. You see he has been reported 
to have committed suicide in jiil and we are in hopes that this 
deed will yet land them that had .him arrested in the same cell 
where he now is. Col. Hopewell and Mr. Elmo think him 
dead. Lord Harry, I buy this as a favor to him and because we 
need the hoil. I think our party will put this country in the 
hands of a receiver before we go back. Mr. Mayfield is hin- 
nosent; he done nothing wrong over there; my father is council 
for the Crown, and he will see that he comes out yet. I cannot 
blame Mr. Helmo for she is a beauty. 

(Agnes and Earry are conversing.) Agnes — Yes, Earry you 
were a good friend of mine and when Clarence and myself are 
married you and your wife and Michael will be the first invited. 

Earry. (Aside.) Yes, an I am afraid I'll have to marry yea 
me self when Norah dies; sure I don't know what you think but 
I wouldn't hesitate a minut' to do it, that's the way they aredoin' 
in America. 

Agnes. — How is your wife since she came from Ireland? 

Earry. — Sure she is well gettin' bether lookin' every day; I 
wouldn't swop her for this howtel. 

Agnes. — And your little son Michael? 

Earry. — You ought to see that boy, nothing will plaise him 

i6 



onl}' to tell him he Avill be a police or alderman in New York, 
then he braces up like a spring cock on a barn yard fence. 

(Ben is assisting Larry at the reception dressed in his green 
pants Larry gave him, and turning around emptying the glass of 
wine, and asking Agnes and Larry if dat am "de Lo'dy what he 
is been praying to all dis time," saying "dat Lo'dy am gwine ter 
let dis coon an dat banana gal take string cat fish ter heaben 
where we is gwine." Narrow guage engine whistle is heard. 
Agnes telling Ben to get her carriage, she will drive down: 
Ben leaves showing swallow tail coat tightly fitting coming half 
down his back. Agnes leaves, telling Larry to bring Michael to 
see her. Lord Harr}^ and McCaulsy playing and sipping their 
wine.) 

(Hopewell and Elmo together feeling their wine.) Hopewell. 
You must include all in the deed. Mayfield has committed sui- 
cide leaving nothing for us to fear. 

Elmo. — He might have left his deed to some friend. 

Hope. — Fear nothing; if you do, I will take charge of it my- 
self. ("All aboard" heard from rear; n]\ jump to their feet.) 

Hope. — My Lord, we will take this train for the city. (Telling 
Larry good b^'e. Train may be shown rounding the extending 
peaks of mountains and decending precipices and at Point Look- 
out where Incline cars are waiting they are out of sight. Agnes 
at base of mountain at prison, and in a torn dress admitted as 
Mayfield' s sister, telling him Mr. McC. sold his oil property on 
the river. "He gave him check on Bank of England, i: will 
t^ke some time ro get here, then I think you can get out. Lord 
Harry and Mr. McCauley are coming by to have you sign the 
deeds. Mr. Elmo and papa think you committed suicide.") 

Mayfield. — Agnes, my darling, I have had no way of telling 
you. Col. Skinner was here some days ago with a San Francisco 
paper giving an account of my uncle's death, leaving me a good 
fortune and a nice lot of jewelry. He ought to be here to-mor- 
row (Jailor enters, handing Mayfield a message. Reads aloud: 
Will be home to-morrow; a good fortune for you, and some beau- 
tiful jewelry. I will see to your release at once." 

Agnes — There comes Lord Harry and Mr. McCauley, I must 
leave. 

(A very affecting parting. Agnes and Ben leave. A scene is 
run across rear forming the Hopewell mansion. Hope and Elmo 
eter.) 

Hope — The news of May field's death was a terrible shock to 
Agnes; her stay on the mountain has improved her very much. 

Elmo — Yes, .she looks better than I ever saw her. 

17 



Hope — And she seems to become so charitable since he died, 
which shows a change in your favor. (Lord Harry and McC. 
enter.) 

McCauley — Well, our horses were slow. 

Lord Harry — You have no 'orses here like we have in ould 
Hengland; their hoofs rings on the road like a church bell in this 
country. 

(A m< ssenger enters, handing Hopewell a message. Reading 
aloud: "Your brother is hopelessly sick, he went to water some 
of his railroad stock and one of his bulls sat down on him; it is 
feared he will never rise. Come at once." I don't see any bulls 
here like we have in Hengland. I understand the bulls in New 
York are very sullin. I mean those that live on railroads, and 
the bears too, I understand, are very bad; we left there when we 
heard they were so bad. (Agnes enters.) 

Hope — My daughter, I have been waiting for you. I just 
had a message from your uncle in new York. 

Agnes — Yes, some of his bears are dying I'll bet. 

Hope — No, no. (Handing her the message; she reads aloud:) 
"Your brother is hoplessly sick in New York. He went to water 
some of his railroad stock and one of the bulls sat down on him; 
it is feared he will never rise. Come at once." What's the 
matter, papa, we are having such awful luck lately; (dropping 
the message. I always told him those stock would hurt him. 
Every time he wrote it was nothing but stock, stock. Bulls and 
bears. Its lucky the bears didn't get hold of him, they would 
squeeze him, jes, eat him up. 

Hope — We are going on the first train over the — 

Agnes — Yes, papa, tell uncle to sell the bulls and bears and 
all his cattle, railroad stock and milk cows; just keep one filly. 

Ben — (Enters.) Yes, mum; yes, mum. 

Hope — Tell Mrs, Hopewell and Lord Harry to come here, 
(They enter.) 

Hope — We are taking the first train to New York. We have 
just one hour and twenty minutes. 

(Mrs. Hope goes to safe, taking out large tray of jewelry, pick- 
ing a few she wants to wear, leaving tray out. Agnes whisper- 
ing to her mother telling her Clarence is not yet dead, it was 
some body else that committed suicide.) 

Mrs. Hope — I will tell your father, then. 

Agnes — No, no, mama, for God's sake no. I reserved one of 
the cakes from the reception on the mountain, won't you let Ben 
take it out to Clarence; he can saddle one of the horses and get 



back in time. (Mrs. Hope lets him go ) Ben seen getting cake; 
looking for a chance takes tray of jewelry, stuffing it into cake 
saying dis am de kind stuffin "dis coon likes (pulling the inside out 
of cake and devouring it.) An Master Clarence gets dis stuffin 
(packing away the diamonds), an Master Clarence will be out and 
done married to Miss Agnes time dey 'rive from New York. 
Leaving, saying "I spect dey want dis nigger to go to, to help 
kotch dem bulls and bears." (A horse is heard galloping on the 
outside. McCauley and Lord Harry, gone to see the river 
property. Agnes and Margaret assisting Mrs. Hopewell, telling 
her she must bring them something from the big town.) 
Agnes. — Mother just bring me one of uncle's calves. 

(Lord Harry and Elmo enter, excitedly.) 

Hope — What's the matter my Lord; Mr. Elmo will deal fairly 
with 3'ou. 

Lord Harry — But I have that man's name on this deed. 

Hope — (Reaching and snatching deed.) My Lord, that is 
forgery. I always took Mr. McCauley for a gentleman. He 
has been admitted to my house as one. That man had no 
property there; besides he is dead. My servant helped dress and 
put him in his coffin. 

(Ben enters hastil}-, saying dis coon am ready, boss.) 

Hope — Where have you been sir? 

Ben — I is been gettin' dem chains ter tie dem bulls an beari 
up in dat big town. 

Hope — How did Mr. Mayfield commit suicide? 

Ben — He war eatin' cat fish fur supper one night an bone 
stuck in his gizzle. 

Lord Harry — You and jour servant are mistaken. 

Ben — If it want dat way it want at all. 

Hope — My Lord I would not take your, nor, nor Mr. Mc's 
word on this matter. Nothing but the presence of the man 
would satisfy me. 

Lord H — I will bring him; I will bring him (leaving. j 

Hope — Mr. Elmo, that man is surely dead. 

Elmo — Most assuredly, he is bluffing. 

Hope — Ben, are you sure Mr. Mayfield is dead? 

Ben — If anything kum heah what looks like Master Mayfield 
it will be his ghosty and dis nigger am gwin ter cut him up, 
drawing a razor. 

Lord H. — (Leading the way.) Mayfield and two officers enter. 
Hope and Elmo draw revolvers, Mrs. Hope runs between, beg- 
ging them not to shoot. Ben hiding under chair, Mrs. Hopewell 
requesting officers to take him back to jail. 

19 



Hope— By the it is he. 

Ben — Dat want no ghosty boss; if he war dis coon would chop 
him up. 

(Lord Harry enters after leaving prisoner in jail.) 

HoPE^My Lord, we will adjust this matter when we come 
from New York. Make this 3^our home, sir, until then. 

Agnes (enters, papa, mama and Ben are at the train.) You 
won't have time to get to it. Ben is .seen rolling wheelbarrow 
with chains across stage. Hope telling Agnes goodbye, picking 
up his grip and hat leaving hastily: hard boiled eggs, sweet po- 
tatoes, corn dogers and other eatables falling through bottom of 
satchel. Agnes calling papa, tell mama to bring me a calf, call- 
ing aloud, "papa, pa, you are dropping your couponds." 

(Lord Harry, mouth open laughing. Elmo entering meeting 
Margaret on passage way, becoming alarmed at the position of 
Agnes and Lord Harry returning, saying:) My mone}' and my 
two honest men will act at once to-morrow night. Lord Harry 
goes to his hotel. 

Colonel Skinner (enters.) Well, Miss Hopewell, Clarence was 
left a good fortune by his uncle who died in California; one of 
the heirs is not quite 21 and he cannot get his part for about a 
year; he had quite a lot of jewelry. They divided that. I got a 
very fine lot for Clarence. I must go out soon to see what he 
wants done with it. (Leaving, sa^nng:) I must put it in some- 
body's safe for protection. 

Agnes (putting on torn dress to go to prison and tell Mayfield 
the prisoner.) Mayfield, have those Lords come yet? 

Agnes — None but Lord Harry; he is going to Birmingham to 
meet the others. Col. Skinner has gotten back from California. 

May. — Did you see him? 

Agnes — Yes, he had very good luck; it will be about a year 
before there is a distribution of the money. He brought a beau- 
tiful lot of jewelry; he is coming to see what you want done with 
it. He has no safe place for it. 

May — I wish you would let him put it in your father's safe 
until I get out. Lord Kingston is counsel for the Crown. He 
will see those charges are false and will see that I am released. 

Agnes — Yes; he will do that. They are going down the river 
to see and buy that coal mine. I hope boat and all will be 
draw^n in that whirlpool. 

(An affecting parting.) (Col. Skinner crosses stage in minis- 
terial garments, going to prison. Agnes returns, pulling off her 
torn dress giving it to Margaret, who takes it to her room.) 

20 



lyORD H — I missed my train and came back to tell you good- 
bye. (Attempting to kiss her, she slaps him on the face, his 
glasses fall making a noise. Margaret running in surprisedly, 
saying what's the matter? Agnes walking indignatly into her 
mother's room.) 

Lord H — Oh, nothing; I was telling Miss Haynes how much 
I regretted leaving her and you. As soon as I mentioned you, 
she slapped my glasses off. (Reaching his arms around her neck 
saying you would not do that; kissing her his glasses falls. 

Agnes (entering excitedly.) Your train is leaving sir. (He 
gathers his hat, satchel, leaving with all possible speed; one side 
of satchel dropping and underwear dropping out. Margaret call- 
ing to him, looking around and running back gathering them 
with all po.ssible speed.) 

Col. Skinner — (Comes with jewelry.) Clarence told me to 
leave this in your father's safe. I will have him out in a few 
days, then he will arrange for it. (Putting it in, leaving.) Money 
will turn a lawyer's head to unknown tactics; mine is not an ex- 
ception. 

(Elmo and two villains are seen in Hopewell's private office, 
telling them at 4 o'clock in the morning they would get their 
reward.) 

Villains — We will; you will have luck before we get through. 
(They leave.) 

Elmo — (Entering.) Has your father come yet? 

(A messenger enters, handing her a message. Agnes reads:) 
We will be in on first train. 

Elmo — It is now due. (He leaves to meet them, meeting 
them at the door.) 

Agnes (embracing her father and mother.) Where is my calf? 
where is my calf? (Ben with green breeches, swarlow tail coat, 
stiff collar, advancing.) Yes, mum; here dey is; done told you 
would fotch dem dead or libin. (Showing calf and bear's hide.) 

Agnes — I didn't want any skin. I got enough furs and mats. 
I want a calf; a pet calf 

Ben — You can pet dis, Miss Agnes. 

Agnes — Pet what? 

Ben — Put dis down an sit on it. Miss Agnes, de}^ wouldn't 
let dis coon in ter dat big stable whar dem bulls and bears war. 
I looked in ter see if dey would hurt Master an dat man sittin 
way, sayin' "here comes de Jersey Central Stock." Dem tings 
up dar would huck nigger quick. I pulled de door shut; but 
such hustlin' 3 ou neber heard. I peeped in 'gin, he said heah 

21 



comes de East Tennessee and Memphis stock. I knowed Col. 

had fine steers, kase I hauled logs with dem. I grabs my 

hat and dem chains, run through de crowd sa}'in' where am de 

boss? where am — Big man looks like Col. , kotch me by de 

neck, kicked big hole in my pants behind. Dis nigger didn't 
wait ter ask him his name. Dat settled dis nigger in stable. No 
bulls and bears fur dis nigger, (leaving.) I is got to put dis calf 
way. (Showing large hole in his pants.) 

(Hope and Elmo in private office conversing. Agnes and 
Margaret assisting Mrs. Hopewell put her jewelry away.) 

Mrs. Hope — (Opening safe, her tray of jewelry gone, calling 
aloud.) We are robbed ! we are robbed! (Hope and Elmo run- 
ning in.) Hope, where is that Eord? 

Agnes — He went to Birmingham to meet his other party. 

Hope — Yes; he was a d — d painted Eord for the purpose of 
robbing us. (Pulling out the other jewelry.) Yes he left this 
plated and paste stuff here in its place, thinking we would not 
know the difference. 

Agnes — Oh, papa, that is some jewelry Col. Skinner left here. 
He said it belonged to Clarence Mayfield. 

Hope — Mayfield, the devil; where w^ould he get jewelry like 
this? 

Agnes — His uncle died in California and left him a big fortune; 
that is some of the jewelry. 

Hope — That boy will be rich before he is 30 years old. I must 
declare him innocent and have him liberated. (He rings for Ben.) 
Ben — Yes mum gwine arter some more calves. 

Hope — Take this to telegraph office. (Reading:) Arrest one 
Lord Harry Kingston for the robbery of the Hopewell jewelry. 
Wait for answer. (Ben leaves.) 

Hope — (Telephones sheriff.) Charges against Clarence Mayfield 
are false; liberate him. (Turning to Elmo who is coming in.) 
Mr. Elmo, you must fight your own battles. (Villains are seen 
concealing themselves.) 

Ben — (Entering. Handing Hopewell telegram. Some jewelry 
in an establishment left by Eord Harry Kingston; also showing 
that they are registered in London.) 

Hope — -(Sending another.) Have him out on bond for further 
investigation. 

Elmo — Col., that must be a mistake; he surely is innocent, he 
is not guilty; besides we will spoil that excursion to the mines 
and they won't buy. 

Hope — Telegraph them it is a mistake and for all parties to 
come on. (Elmo leaves.) 

Hope — (Ring for Ben.) Take those papers to sheriff 

22 



. Ben (leaves breeches patched.) Wonder what Master 

Mayfield done with dat stuffin; if he done got done we must sho' 
bring dem and put dem iuter dat safe ter night. 

(Train blows. Mrs. Hopewell and Agnes enter.) Papa, there 
they come, and the lunch is ready. 

Elmo. Lord H., Lord Reymon and Lord K. (all enter.) Hope 
— My Lords; I aoi glad to receive you in my own house and you 
my Lord Harry is due an apology; but the action could not be 
averted. Some villain must have done the work. Lunch is 
ready and then we will leave on the excursion to the mines. 
(They are sipping their wine.) 

Mayfield enters. Hope, my boy, I always thought you inno- 
cent. My little charges did not go against you at all; you must 
join us to the mines. (Aside.) I have no choice in you three; 
you are all rich. 

(Mayfield meets Agnes.) My struggles will soon be rewarded 
and you may reward leaving wnth them. 

(Lord Reymofid refuses to go just as they get to the boat. 
Mayfield also refuses to go.) 

(Reymond entering, telling Agnes he prefered staying with 
her and after a short conversation he goes to the hotel to feed his 
dogs. Mayfield enters.) 

Mayfield — Now Agnes j-our requests before my imprison- 
ment will be granted. We must elope and end these struggles. 

Agnes — Won't we wait until they come.-* 

Mayfield — No, no; those people will get vicious; let us end it 
at once. Let that jewelry remain until we get settled. By the 
way you know j^our mother's and your jewelry Ben put in that 
cake you sent me. He brought it back. Agnes — now is the 
best chance for him to put it back. (She rings for him.) He is 
a good darke}' and I don't want him to go to the penitentiary. 
(Ben enters.) 

Agnes — Where is that jewelry? Ben — Here she am Misses. 
(Going out bringing it back and placing in safe.) 

McCauley' — (Enters.) Yes, you must elope and my assist- 
ance will see you through. Stop at Hotel Royal to-night. Join 
that other eloping party who has just left. Send messenger 
ahead to have a minister there in the morn ng when you cross 
the Tennessee line into Georgia. You can be married and end 
these struggles. I will remain here and if the Colonel starts an 
officer after you I will telephone you and you can be off" at once; 
do your own driving, Mayfield. All right old boy. (Shaking 
hands with both, they are off".) 

(Excursion party returns exhausted. Ben waiting on them, 

23 



bowing and scraping, his coat splits up the back showing green, 
shirt he got from that green horn Larry.) 

(Hope calls for Agnes ) Mrs. Hope, Margaret and Agnes go 
out for a walk. 

McCauley. — (Enters excitedly.) Your attention for one 
moment Colonel. I did all I could to prevent it, but no use, your 
daughter and Clarence Mayfield have eloped. (All look at each 
other in our surprise. McCauley continues and Elmo who goi 
off the boat down at the bend, got boozy in his way back here 
and stumbled outside on the street, his pistol went off accident- 
ally and mortally wounded him.) 

Hope — Are you sure Mayfield didn't do it. 

McC — No, I think not, it seems to me he had gone when the 
accident happeaed. 

Hope — I am afraid Mayfield did the dirty work. I would 
rather my daughter would commit suicide than elope with any 
man. 

lyORD Reymond — (Is seen in terrible agony.) He cannot live 
wi^'hout Haynes, he cannot live without her. 

Lord K — I amy very sorry about those affairs; my nephew 
cannot live without her (addressing the Colonel.) Can't you 
prevent the ceremoney? 

Hope — ^I think I can but the undertaking is a very dangerous 
one to the giil's character, should your nephew die or change his 
mind. She must have a dowery made over to her before I take 
a hand in the affair. (Aside.) While I was friendly and liberal 
in liberating him, now I will see him dragged into the courts 
and sent where the face of a fair woman will never gladden his 
heart again. He surely shot Elmo from the carriage and no 
doubt scole the jewelry that Lord Harry wa^ arrested for. By 
heavens this affair will drive me distracted. (Turning to Lord 
Kingston.) Well, that coal mine you bought down the river 
to-day will do for her. 

Lord K — That is very small, only fifteen thousand. What do 
you call them? (Hopewell.) Dollars. (Aside.) Wagon wheels 
does us. 

Lord K — Now; yes, all right, here are the papers, (signing 
them up. Hopewell puts them in safe turning round.) I will 
telephone Mr. McCauley if they are at the Hotel Royal and to 
hold them until to-morrow. We will get my fine carriage, leave 
by daylight and come back on first train on narrow guage and 
Incline railroad, go right to church and Agnes and Lord Rey- 
mond will be married and end this struggle. (Stepping to tele- 
phone asking for Mr. McCauley.) All right Colonel. 

Hope — Are those parties at hotel? 

McB — Yes; and going to leave at once to cross the Tennessee 

24 



line into Georgia to be married, also another party going in same 
caarriage; can I do anything for you? 

Hope — Can you hold all parties till we arrive by daylight. 
Will be to your interest. 

McC — (Answers back.) Have contrived to have horses become 
sick at once. Rest easy. 

Hope — Very well; Lord Kingston, we must now leave by five 
o'clock. Where is Lord Reymond? 

Lord K — He is in Mr. Elmo's room seeing how he is getting 
along. The nurse went to get medicine. 

(Lord Kingston and Lord Reymond enter. Reymond shaking 
hands with Hopei\'ell.) 

Hope — We will all retire: my servant will have carriage ready 
at half past four and we will get there just in time. 

Lord Revmond — Mr. Elmo is doing very well. I don't think 
that the narse will come back until daylight. (x\ll retire, Lord 
Kingston's cot partly in view of audience, all snoring. 

Two villainous looking villians enter looking savagely in all 
directions going to Agnes' room, returning disappointed looking. 
A noise of a carriage is heard outsid surprising them. Ben (call- 
ing out) half past four boss! (Villains make a dash for conceal- 
ment, going into sick man's room.) 

Hope (Comes out in night clothes seeing yoke of oxen 
hitched to carriage.) What have you done? Where is my fine 
horses? (Vdlains are seen dodging in and out looking for a 
chance to escape.) No. i; we won't have much luck with this 
load of poles. 

Ben — Dis am de best teem in de stable. Boss, dose are two- 
forty, the figures 2:40 is on oxen's side facing audience. Ben 

saying look dar boss, dat's der record; bought dem from Mr. . 

All de horses am sick with the fluenzy. 

Hope — Yes, and Lord Kingston is sick; what will we do? 
Ben — Don't know boss, lessen we get wagon load pills. 
Hope — Wagon load the devil; that's enough to kill all the 

aldermen in the ; go to Mr. an get me box pills. Ben 

(runs out, returning immediately out of breath with a box two 
feet by two feet on a wheelbarrow, his hat on top of box,) De 
Board Public Works had on jag last night. 
Hope — What in the devil have you done? 

Ben — Read dat boss. (On one side facing audience is plainly 

written, "well shaken before taking, a whole box won't hurt you.") 

Hope — Give Lord Kingston his medicine; I will call Reymond. 

(Ben rolls box to Lord Kingston's bed picking up scoop, pour- 
ing scoop after scoop down Lord Kingston's mouth.) 

Hope — (Entering.) Has them pills acted yet? 

25 



Ben — Hoi' on boss, hoF on, just one more minute. 

(Villains trying to dash out from their hiding places.) 

The ring of fire bells is heard in all directions. All jump out 

in their night clothes running to doors and windows and to their 

surprise Hotel Royal on Lookout Mountain is on fire. Villains 

rush out with the almost lifeless body of Elmo, thinking it to be 

that of Agnes. Ben moving Kingston's cot. End of Third 

Act. 

ENCORE. 

The fire in full view of audience with excited people ia their 
night clothes trying to rescue other guests. 

Hopewell, Mrs. Hopewell and Lord Reymond in apparent 
great agony. 

Nurse running into Elmo's room finding him gone. 

Ben (trying to carry Lord Kingston.) Boss, derci pills done 
acted. 

Villains finding their mistake, dropping Elmo and drawing 
their daggers speeding off, one limping. 

Nurse running for P^lmo who is crying: (Take me out of the 
fire, take me out of the fire. — Curtain Falls Again. 



FOURTH ACT. 

HopeivelVs Home. — Mrs. Hopewell and Margaret stay at home. 

Lorn Kingston too unwell to leave, Ben left with him. 

Lord Harry goes to Middlesboro, the site of a new manufpctur- 
ing town, to make arrangements for the other parties who are to 
follow shortly. 

Hopewell and Lord Raymond leave for the scene of the fire on 
Lookout Mountain 

|ii|The two villains are seen back of Kingston's room listening. 
Lord Kingston rings for Ben. 

Ben — Is your medicine done acted? 

Lord K — I amy very weak, and could not go with them to 
the mountain. I will be stout in a few days, then I will join my 
son in Middlesboro. My good man, I wish you would go to the 
Chief of Police's office and have him send me a good detective. 
(Two villains listening.) 

First Villain — If they should try to make a case against 
this man, we would come in for a good round sum; you can 
swear you saw him shoot him from his carriage. Of 
course, it was accidental. I saw him fall Let's go the City 
Hall, apply for a job as detective; if we catch the other fellow, 
he will pay us well to prove his innocence. (Both leave, saying.) 

26 



Our honesty will j-et bring us to a level, we will yet fill a good 

long purse out of this. 

Ben — Boss, dar ain't no bulls dare like dose in New York? 

Lord K— No, no; get me an officer. (Ben leaves.) 

Lord K — Well, if it hadn't been for those of pills, I would 

have died. I will now retire until that man comes with an 

officer, then it will be daylight. 

A scene is drawn apart, showing the debris of the burned 
hotel, and guests on platform at narrow guage railroad, waiting 
for first train to go to the city. Women are huddled together, 
wrapped in blankets, discussing about Mayfield and Agnes get- 
ting burned. It ii very early in the morning and the sun is now 
rising. The rays are as welcome to them as the chimes of a 
vesper bell to a congregation of angels on a Sunday morning. 

(Mayfield, McCauley and Agnes are seen on Sunset Rock. In 
a low tone they are discussing how they are going to escape un- 
observed.) 

Mayfiei.d — We cannot go on that train, we wouM be cap- 
tured as soon as we land at the foot of the Incline. The charges 
against me this time, can be made truly grave. I started out to 
finish this struggle and make one day in my life go down in the 
history of this State, myself, as the most heroic and adventurous 
lover of this century. What do you say, Agnes? 

Agnes — I have always wanted to share your fortunes and mis- 
fortunes, your pleasures and sorrows, and I am afraid those 
troubles are not yet ended. 

Mayfield — Will we surrender to them? 

Agnes — No, no. Troubles with others, are pleasures with 
you. 

McCauley — It is all wath your Clarence. If my assistance 
will be of any service to you, I will see you through successfully. 

Mayfield — Let me see, (pulling out watch and time card;) in 
one hour and two inches a train is due at Wauhatcha, (looking 
south.) Yes, younder it is, twenty miles away. 

McC — Are you still the hero of adventures? 

Mayfield — What will I tell him Agnes? 

Agnes — Tell him yes 

McC — (Turning round picking up the end of a rope, saying:) 
I served three years as a sailor, and for such reasons as you are 
now adventuring. (Making a ladder of this rope, tying one end 
to sapling, throwing the other end over Sunset Rock, looking 
after it.) That answers the length exactly; what do you say. 
Take her in your arms, be as careful as if you were saying your 
prayers going up to heaven, and with that angel in your em- 
brace you will be sure to land safely. Take that train for Union 

27 



Depot; I will meet you there, we will go direct to Knoxville and 
if ministers are scarce there, which I understand they are, we 

will secure the service of 'Squire , and make this the 

only day in your life. (Mayfield steps carefully on the ladder, 
holding to McCauley's hands, pressing his weight on it.) 

McC — Come Agnes, (she tucks her dress tightl3^ and Mayfield 
is descending step by step when one foot slips aside, leaving him 
sitting on the round. McCaulej' in terrib'e agony and about to 
descend on rope. Mayfield turning half round landing Agnes 
on the step under him, calling to her.) Are you safe? 

Agnes — Do you want me to go back or go down? 

Mayfield — If ever prayer fell at the feet ot God and the hand 
of a Virgin stretched forth with a prayer for an unfortunate 
adventurous couple I beseech you to land Agnes safely on the 
ground, never again to be induced into a position so perilous. 
(They descend cautiously, step by step and land safely on the 
ground, looking thankfully towards Heaven, with extended 
hands.) 

Mayfield — Now for the station, they are out of sight. 

(Narrow guage engine whistle is heard. McCauley waiving 
his handkerchief at them saying. Now for my part. (Running 
toward them on platform.) 

(Among the party waiting is L,arry, who owned the bar, his 
wife Norah, and little son Michael, also other parties who were 
were eloping and are going back to ask pardon of their parents 
and to allow them to get married, which parents do, the bride 
having a very narrow escape, being saved by a large dog pulling 
her out of the flames, thinking her to be his young mistress. 
The dog is standing by her with collar on.) 

Guest — Larry, j^ou are at a great loss by that fire; that plant 
belonged to you, I suppose it was making you plenty of money. 

Larry — (Looking at Norah.) An fot plant do he main? 
(Norah whispers.) 

Larry — Yes, Yes; faith it was, an if it had lasted a little 
longer. I would be going in partnership wid Uncle Sam. 

Guest — Have you made up your mind what j^ou are going to 
do when you go to the city? 

Larry — Faith, I have not, but I am going in partnership wid 
the Mayor. 

Guest — That's a good business. And your wife? 

Larry — Yes, an she'l go on the police force. (All laugh.) 

(Norah leans towards him.) 

Larry — I main she will keep howtel fur the police force. 

Guest — And your little boy? 

Larry — An he'l be the lieutenant of the whole shibang. 

28 



(Noding his head repeatedly, saying.) Yes indeed. (McCauley 
dashes up.) 

Larry — An faith, we thought you were praying for us in 
Heaven by this time, or trying to get out that bar'l of cocktail. 

McC — I am afraid too many went to bed drunk lasc night. 
Where is that other party that was going over the Tennessee 
line to Georgia to be married this morning? 

Guest — We were wondering if they were not saved. I saw a 
a few going over to that house, (pointing to it) wrapped in 
blankets. 

McC — That's where I was. I thought it was then but it was 
not. 

GuKsT — They were surely among the lost. 

McC — I knew them. I will stop and see if I can see or find 
any trace of them. 

Conductor All aboard. (The train is seen pulling 

out and at places winding around by descending peaks and great 
precipices on the other side.) 

(Ben entering with officer. Lord Kingston just getting up.) 

Ben — Here he am boss. Is your medicine done acted? 

Lord K — Officer — This is a case in which this y9ung man 
Mr. Elmo, got shot; we think this man Mr. Mayfidld. shcit him 
from his carriage as he was eloping with Miss Hopewell. We 
want you to arrest the fellow, and if possible before they are 
married. Go to the Mountain, and if they were not burned in 
that fire last night, have him here before night. 

Detective — I think I understand the case, that man shot 
himself accidentally. I saw him do it. He was very much in- 
toxicated. 

Lord K — Here m}^ man, you are the man I want. Here will 
be your reward if 5'ou arrest and convict him. (Showing him 
large amount of money.) 

Detective — (Leaving.) You will see him. It is yet early in 
the morning, Mrs. Hopewell and Margaret who remain at home, 
have not yet gotten up. 

(Officer returning with villanous looking confederate with him 
carrying burglar's tools and going towards safe, with his instru- 
ments begins work. 

Detective — (Going to Lord Kingston's room, saj'ing:) You 
did not give me any description of that man. 

Lord K — My good man you better remain here until Mr. 
Hopewell and Lord Raymond comes; they may have captured 
him, and if not, Mr. Hopewell will describe him to you. They 
will be here immediately, they left on the Incline half an hour 

29 



ago. (Hopewell and Lord Raymond heard coming, saying:) 
They must have gotten lost. (Hopewell almost distracied.) 
(Burglar puts fuse in the holes bored and a loud explosion is 
heard, followed by a good deal ot smoke. Mrs. Hopewell and 
Margaret screaming and running out in their night clothes ) 
Lord Kingston running cut half dressed. Ben running in say- 
ing.) De Lo'dy's boiler am busted. (Mrs. Hopewell and Marg- 
aret struggling through smoke, trying to find their room. Kings- 
ton trying to find his room. Officer runs in.) 

Ben — Dat's dat man's medicine actin. I is feard he busted 
his biler. 

Officer — No, it is a thief. 

Ben — (Frightfully looking behind him, hiding behind officer.) 
(Hopewell and Lord Raymond enter.) 

Hope — What's the matter? is Lord Kingston out of his head, 
or has he been trying to break open the safe? What are you 
doing here officer? 

Officer — He sent for me to track that shooting scrape. He 
thinks that man in the carriage did the shooting. 

Hope — No. no. Mr. Elmo has recovered enough to acknowl- 
edge fo its being an accident, and from too much drink. (Going 
over to safe, finding it shattered.) What does this mean? Burg- 
lars in the house? Ben surely wouldn't attempt anything like 
this. Officer, will need you around here, we may yet need you. 

As to Mr. Mayfield and my daughter, they were burned in 
that fire on the Mountain, and hurried in our lot. We will erect 
a monument to their memory. (The officer goes out to look 
around. Hope rings for Ben ) 

Ben — Yes mum, yes mum, nothin boss, jest his medicine done 
actin. I recon done busted his bilers dis time. Next time he 
will splode sure. 

(Villain is seen entering in the direction of safe.) 

Hope — (Turning round seeing him, saying.) Shoot him, 
catch him. (Ben runs to hide.) 

Officer — (Runs in, saying:) What is it, where is he? 

Hope — (Pointing, ordering him in direction of burglar. Officer 
leaving.) 

Ben — (Running in ) — Is dat splosion done kum boss? 

Margaret — Breakfast is ready colonel. 

Hope — (Going in bringing Kingston and Raymond to break- 
fast, saying: I will go on the Mountain my Lord. My wife and 
Margaret are going there to board for a short time. Now when 
you come back from Middlesboro, after making some good in 
vestments, we will be over our grief, and we wall entertain you 
all more pleasantly, and assi.st you make some good investments. 



Lord Harry and Mr. McCauley I suppose, have made all arrange- 
ments for you by this time. 

Lord K — Yes, here is a letter from them. Our train leaves 
right after breakfast. (They go to breakfast. Margaret and 
Mrs. Hopewell are seen going towards dining room in mourning 
and weeping.) 

Ben — I is gwine to keep out dose splosions till dey kum back. 
Dis nigger ain't gwine ter eat in der kitchen no longer. I is 
gwine ter board at dat Banana Hotel outer de Mountain. (Officer 
coming in, Ben starts suddenly, bidding, saying:) Dat medicine 
am gwine ter act gin. Lo'dy! nudder! splosion! )He runs in, 
officer thinking him a stranger, runs in after him.) 

A scene is drawn apart showing the side of the Mountain, 
river bend, railroad at same place, also showing brick yard wiih 
kilns on fire, hands just changing for the day. Those who 
worked at night are going to the river to catch fish. They are 
fishing. Train is now leaving Wauhatchie, a station seven miles 
from town. Among those fishing is Aunt Pianna, who keeps 
hotel out on side of Mountain, for the colonel. 400 is catching 
fish for dinner. Another is a man who worked all night, he is 
getting a hard bite, pulling and pulling his fish don't move, turn- 
ing ann putting pole on his shoulder stooping over, Mr. Fish is 
coming, turning round to see and to his surprise, a large alligator 
is following him; he drops his pole, catching his hat, and with 
all possible speed, makes for his cabin, about 100 feet away, and 
dashing through a small window the alligator catches him by 
the leg. (vShifting rear scene putting him out of view.) Train 
is at full speed opposite those fishing. A sharp whistle is heard, 
and then a terrible crash. Broken cars are piled up, some going 
into the river, passengers are seen struggling in water. One of 
them. May field, his hand falling on some human object, holding 
a woman's head above water, struggling for opposite side, strik- 
ing sand, both unconsciously lay there. 

Aunt Pianna seeing trunk floating, pulling it in with pole, and 
discovering Mayfield and Agnes and saying she is going to have 
big reward for her trouble. Calling help and taking them to 
kilns, drying and rubbing them, taking trunk and Agnes home 
for reward. 

Mayfield — (Regaining consciousness, calls:) Where is she, 
where has she gone? Oh Agnes, where are you, would you that 
my heart was thy pillow instead of the rocky bottom of the Ten- 
nessee. Oh Agnes, if thy sainted soul did leave thy beautiful 
foim, speak and help a crucified lover to ask forgiveness for 
sending you to a watery grave. Yes I will go and ask forgive- 

31 



ness of the man, her father, who drove me distracted, and his own 
daughter to a water}' grave. (He leaves.) 

(A scene is run across and Hopewell's house is again shown. 
Hopewell, Mrs. Hopewell and Margaret in mourning.) 

Mrs* H — No tidings of them anywhere. They are not men- 
tioned in the list of injured who were sent to the lyake Hospital. 
They seem distracted. 

Hope — Those Middlesboro parties will soon be here. I will 
sell out all to them and leave this scene. My heart is broken 
and by the weight of money. I drove the dearest boy on earth 
and my only daughter to a suicide's grave. D — n Elmo, d — n 
all the Lords on eaith, d — n my money, d — n everything. My 
daughter, my only daughter, and the dearest boy on earth. 

(Mrs. Hopewell and Margaret weeping.) 

Lieutenant Michael — (Enters, saying:)Papa, say, have you 
any news about your daughter? 

Hope — (Wiping his eyes, saying:) No my son, no, and never 
will. (Dropping his head.) 

Michael — (Also wipin his eyes, turning his little head, in 
trembling voice, saying:) Here is a message. (He reads it to 
him.) Chief Police, Chattanooga.' Employ detectives at once to 

try and find traces of my two daughters and Miss , who 

were traveling on the ill-fated train at Lookout Mountain; also a 
valuable trunk. Offer big reward for them, dead or alive, he 
continues. The fireman told papa, two parties got on at Wau- 
hatche, a man and woman. Papa thinks it may be them, and 
they may be found in the river. 

Hope — I have just arranged to put a fine monument up for 
them. Tell the chief to offer a big reward for their bodies. 
Maybe we would find them. 

Michael — Has Mr. Elmo died? 

Hope — No, he is going around on crutches. 

Michael — (Leaving, saying.)! well papa. 

Ben — (Enters.) Is Master Mayfield and Miss Agnes kum yet, 
boss? (He breaks out crying. Mrs. Hopewell and Margaret 
wiping their eyes. Lieutenant Michael and Mayfield enter 
hastily.) Hope jumps for him, Ben jumps for him, trying to re- 
move Hopewell, protruding his lips. Let dis coon have some 
show fore he splodes. 

(Mrs. Hopewell and Margaret faints, margaret recovering.) 

Ben — (At Mrs. Hopewells. Get dis doctor a bottle of brandy 
and tub of water. (They recover.) 

Mayfield — Yes, we escaped the fire, went and caught the 

32 



train at Wauhathie. I got pitched into the river, I carried some- 
body across with me, and when I became conscious, there was 
nobody there, but a lot of darkies, drying me by the kiln of 
brick. 

Hope — Mr. Ma> field, I hereby declare the charges aga nst you 
false. After thorough investigation I find you innocent and 
honest as when you were a child. Now sir, I have concluded at 
the return of those English parties from Middlesboro, to dispose 
of all my effects and leave these .scenes. They were the cause of 
my daughter's death, and that coal mine and coal land will never 
revert bark to them. Has the bank ever honored that check for 
that river property you sold them? 

Mayfield — It will be here to-day or to-morrow. 

Detective (enters, paper in hand.) I have information about 
one of your help named Benny, who is acquainted with a colored 
woman by the name ol Pianna, who lives out on the Mountain. 
I must make a witness of him, and I think he will make a val- 
uable one. 

(A scene is moved from right to left showing Aunt Piana's 
boarding house, which was the jail in the other acts.) 

Hope — (Turning, pointing.) Yonder it is, you better wait 
until morning, her boarders ^vill all be in for the night, and they 
may make short work of you. 

Detective — Yes, Colonel; your advice is good, and I under- 
stand that there are some parties at the Lake Hosj)ital that will 
be of service to me. They were in the wreck. (All catching 
their breath.) And I will get a carriage and start thert at 
twelve to-night, see those parties, drive to Aunt Piana's and get 
there by daylight. (He leaves.) 

Mayfield — (Hanging his head out at the Hospital. The 
Superintendent has sent all the injured out there.) My dream 
last night, was it a visitation from Agnes, or the helping whisper 
from a Virgin, telling me of my happy future. Yes, she must be 
in Heaven, and her sainted soul will pilot me to join her in the 
near future. I will go see Mrs. Hopewell. 

(Ben and the Indian doctor, who had been down vSouth, and 
who advised Aunt Plana to send Agnes to the Hospital or she 
would die, are seen enjoying their bottle of brandy and are tipsy. 
Aunt Plana telling them they must retire. They are retiring.) 

Ben — I is done got ter get up fore day. (He goes to bed on 
one side, Indian goes on the other side. Aunt Plana in rear. Be- 
fore retiring they sing a pslam. (All snoring.) Aunt Plana put- 
ting her pet chicken on rail at head of Ben's bed. Cat takes his 
place at foot of Indian's bed. Aunt Plana crosses the stage in 

33 



her night clothes before retiring. Ben rolling his eyes, chicken 
thinking them corn makes one pick at them, Ben jumps up 
roaring) Ghost}! ghosty! (Ben catching chicken, throwing it, 
barely missing Plana. Indian's toes are continually moving at- 
tracting the cat, who makes one leap, driving hi^ teeth and claws 
into his foot, letting one roar catching and throwing cat, striking 
Ben i« the face. Ben drawing razor, Indian drawing dagger. 
Aunt Piana makes them friends again, and they finish the brandy. 
Ben leaves for town, Indian for the Mountain to gather herbs for 
medicine. Aunt Piana crying for the loss of her chicken.) It 
laid eggs for all my boarders, and her cat what kotch rats and 
mice what she made rabbit pie for dose Cripple Creek tonies. 

(A scene is pushed too, showing Hopewell's house. Mc- 
Cauley, Hopewell and Mayfield.) 

McC — Yes Colonel, I am afraid we will have to assist them to 
go back to England. You remember Dennis, who Kingston said 
come over with them, and by the way, is a brother of Larry's, 
who now owns the Hotel Royal. He got them into a scheme 
and fleeced them. They will be here to-day. 

Hope — You notice all those Irish, who don't get drunk on 
whiske)-, they always do well in this country. Look at Larry 
and his little sou. Lieutenant Michael, he nude the best little 
officer we ever had. 

McC — Yes. and those that get drunk, the only way you can 
get anything into their heads except whiskey, is to bore a hole 
in it and pour it in. 

Ben — Runs in saying ) Boss, dis nigger ain't gwine back ter 
dat Banana House any more. Indiana am just like niggers, 
hain't got no soul no how. 

2nd Detective (enters, with Aunt Piana, putting hands on Ben.) 

Ben — No boss, I hain't neber seed dat Banana tore, cla' I isn't 
If I had, I spec I done eat her up. 

1ST Detective — Yes Colonel, we found the trunk and those 
two ladies are out at the Hospital. 

2D Detective — And that other beautiful girl was in the 
wreck, and has gotten right well. The sisters are going to ad- 
vertise for her people; they live here. Maybe the Colonel would 
know something about her. (All start in surprise.) 

Mavfield — (Turns pale and staggering.) Is it Agnes? (fall- 
ing on the floor.) 

McC — I will go out and see who it is. 

(2d Detective and McCauley leave for the Ho.^pital.) 
(i.st Detective taking Aunt Piana to jail.) 

Ben — (Swearing he never seen dat Banana, saying:) Dat 
Banana am too black, but he will go on her bond. vShe is turned 

34 



loose. Detective gone to examine trunk. Ben telling her how 
to get out without payiniJ anything, telling her, if she will marry 
him, she will be Mrs. Honiala Banana Benny. (She sings and 
dances.) 

Detective — (Enters with telegram, saying:) Turn colored 
woman free. (Both sing and dance. Detective leaves to answer. 
Ben and Piana go to be married ) Ben — Dis heah Henry Banana, 
ain't black, (repeatedly.) 

Lord Harry, Lord Raymond and Lord Kingston enter, shak- 
ing hands with Hope. All .shaking hands, telling him, he would 
have to assist them in getting home to England. Hope writes a 
check for a thousand dollars. 

Kingston — (Thanking him.) We left hall hour money in 
Hamerica. Dennis and that gentleman from Knoxville put us in 
the hands of a receiver. (They leave for rear of st^ge.) 

(Hope telling them to wait, they will have lunch ready shortly.) 

Ben — (Enters, going to Kingston.) Is your medicine done 
acted. 

Hope — Telling Ben, put them up three good lunches. 

2d Detective and two beautiful young ladies enter, introducing 
them to all; they say they are glad to be on their way home, but 
sorry their other lady friend died. The sister wrote to her 
parents and they will take her home. They buried her so nicely, 
and put flowers on her grave every day. Adding, Mr. Hopewell 
that other young lady must be your daughter, she is the same 
name and looks like you. (All of the Hopewells faint; Ben, 
Piana, and all the others run to their rescue.) 

A scene is run acrass shutting them off. Two villains, one 
from each side comes out, throw off their masks, showing that 
they were the villains in every act and now were detectives and 
found those ladies and trunk and were on their way to New 
Orleans with them. 

The scene is pushed apart, showing minister just finishing the 
Marriage of Agnes and Mayfield. (AH in elegant attire.) 

Mr. and Mrs. Hopewell (introducing them.) This is the only 
day of our lives. Giving Mayfield the jewelry he left in their 
safe and her own tray of diamonds, handing them to him. 

Larry and Norah in elegant attire, and bridal party going to 
spend their honey moon at their hotel on the Mountain. Two 
young ladies and two detectives, wishing them joy and inviting 
them to come to New Orleans. _ r^"' «rf ■w-.„...v.*-.| 

Dennis and Margaret conversing. Dennis telling her how 
much money he had made since he was a lawyer. 

35 



Second party who were eloping when hotel was burned, the 
dog by her side, she petting him, her husband saying: Those 
people will think this is the only day of your lite. 

Toe-head little girl and Lieutenant Michael, hand in hand, 
skipping around Agnes and Mayfield. 

Benny and Plana (enter, singing:) Dis am de only day ob our 
life. We's gwine ter lib with Mas^ter Mayfield and Miss Agnes, 
fur eber. (Skipping and singing, Ben with stiff collar, tight 
pants, tight coat, dancing as they sing and bending over, Ben's 
coat splits, Piana's dress splits, one showing red underwear the 
other showing green. 

All singing this is the only day of my life, the curtain falls. — 
The end of Act Fojui/i and end of Play, 

ENCORE. 

All singing the only day of my life. 

New Orleans parties boarding the train for home. Initials of 
cars, , telling goodbye. Agnes and Mayfield see- 
ing them off. 

Little girl and Lieutenant Michael walt/jng. 

Mr. and Mrs Hopewell, when we got married, there wasn't a 
dollar in the world, now we have plenty. 

English parties with groups moving rear, saying: Here we go 
back to Hould Hengland dead broke. . 

Dennis telling Margaret he must go with them. 

Elmo i^ seen on crutches crossing the stage. — Curtain drops 
again. 



36 



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